Home → Main News ( April 23, 2025 )
The Susquehanna Community Development Association (SCDA) held its annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Ira Reynolds Riverfront Park on its rain date of Sunday, April 13th. Hundreds of eggs were spread around the grassy areas nearest to the pavilion and signs directed different age groups to where they could fill their buckets. After the dozens of children in attendance were finished gathering eggs, they lined up near the pavilion to receive a chocolate rabbit and await their chance to have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny.
SCDA representative Kathy Matis expressed the Association's thanks to Ron and Brooke of Schneider's Market for donating the chocolate bunnies; the mysterious bunny costume wearer; the volunteers who worked the event; and the families in attendance for making it a memorable occasion.
This summer, Susquehanna Community and beyond can look forward to the annual Rockin' By the River Concert Series on Thursday nights at the park starting June 12, in addition to Hometown Days being held there for the first time on July 18-19. If you wish to donate to the SCDA, you can send a check to PO Box 347 in Susquehanna, or you can check out their Facebook page for membership information.
Harper and Henley Dubas with their furry friends Ridley and Oakley, and of course The Bunny
A pair of sisters from Susquehanna not willing to get any closer
Some cousins bursting with excitement before the egg gathering began
A tot figures out how this egg hunting thing works
The Hassan Family enjoying the afternoon outing
At least one child-at-heart snuck her photo with the guest of honor
The formal agenda didn't amount to much at the April meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors on tax day, the 15th. Most of the hour and more was spent discussing the future of the township's water, and especially, sewer systems.
But first, Supervisor Kyle Payne described a proposal by a company called Midland, to provide EDP oil to help control dust along the portion of Stevens Road between Tingley Lake Road and the 4-way intersection with Tyler Lake and Miller Roads. It seems that that section of Stevens Road is especially prone to heavy dust accumulation, so the Township is exploring ways to help residents along that stretch deal with a problem sometimes known as "fugitive dust emission." That's the way the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) referred to it when it threatened to fine the Township nearly $50,000 some years ago. Cabot Oil, one of the natural gas companies operating in the area at the time and a heavy user of the Township's roads, made a deal with DEP and paid about $20,000 to settle the issue. With Cabot out of the picture, the Township wants to avoid such problems in the future. Emulsified dust palliative (EDP) oil is a heavier, yet environmentally friendly concoction that can sometimes help to suppress excessive dust better than the cheaper and more commonly used calcium chloride solution. Under the proposal, Midland could provide EDP oil at $1.80 per gallon, with a minimum purchase of 4,500 gallons. The Supervisors decided not to decide right way.
The Supervisors were treated to a summary of their auditors' findings covering 2024 presented by Peg Smith. They found the Township's books in order, and once again commended Township Secretary/Treasurer Carolyn Jennings for her diligence and assistance. They made two recommendations. One was to clarify the arrangement whereby the Township was to be reimbursed for some of its expenditures on the park at the ballfield, once the park project's grant money is received. The other was to formalize the Township's relationship with the Harford Fair regarding the Fair's use of the Township sewer system. Last year there had been some serious problems with the "product" being sent through the system from the fairgrounds that had caused some pump failures.
And that was a good introduction to the rest of the evening's program.
JHA, the engineering company based in Montrose, was responsible for the renovation of the Harford sewer plant on Burns Road, now nearing completion with only paperwork to be completed, according to Ms. Jennings. JHA had also been running the sewer system, but Dan Farnham, president of the eponymous company based in Clarks Summit, took over operations a couple months ago, promising to cut the monthly cost almost in half.
According to the bill list presented at the meeting, Farnham billed the Township over $6,000 for operating the system in March, somewhat more than half of the $10,000 or so JHA had been billing. Supervisor Dustin Walker said that the figure might be misleading, because when JHA was running the system, some of the operational costs were separated into different line items. Farnham has been aggregating the costs instead. As it happens, Farnham billed the Township a total of over $21,000 for March, including pump repairs and waste disposal. Why is that? Mr. Walker offered to ask Dan Farnham to appear at a later meeting to describe his operation of the system. Farnham also operates the domestic water system for the village of Harford, which is billed separately. But that's not all.
Last year, a representative of Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) attended a meeting to propose a buyout of Harford's water and sewer systems. No particulars were made available at the time, so Harford subsequently engaged its solicitor to discuss such particulars. When nothing came of that, a meeting was arranged through state representative Jonathan Fritz to bring together PAWC and Harford officials. That happened very recently, with all of the Supervisors, Ms. Jennings, Peg Smith, solicitor Jamie Hailstone attending for Harford.
No "deal" was concluded at that meeting. The Supervisors said they needed a lot more information, particularly about the purchase price and what guarantees PAWC could provide about the future of Harford's water and sewer systems, and the future impact on those systems' users.
The county, through its commissioners, is known to be deliberating on possible future commercial and residential development in the area, particularly centered around the Gibson exit on the interstate. When the sewer plant renovations were being designed, consideration was given to enlarging its capacity to accommodate such future development. In fact, the Supervisors had been hoping to sell access to the plant's excess capacity to help boost revenue and keep user fees in check.
In a quick poll at this meeting, Mr. Walker seemed ambivalent about the prospect of turning over the system to PAWC. Supervisor Robert Rex said he was "on the fence" about it. And Mr. Payne was mostly opposed to it, fearing that development would harm the rural character of Harford and its environs.
A general discussion ensued. Peg Smith said that she favored the small town experience that is her home. Mr. Walker, like Ms. Smith a resident of Harford village, seconded that. Some feared the loss of local control over the affairs and future of Harford and its infrastructure. PAWC is not known to have operated a sewer system in a rural community in this area, although it does manage water systems for several local municipalities. Mr. Walker was concerned that PAWC was in it only for the profit.
Should the Township go forward with the offer by PAWC, some sort of preliminary "letter of intent" would set the ball in motion, giving the parties about 18 months to come to a formal agreement – or not. During that time, at least 2 town hall meetings, or hearings, would have to be held to inform the public. Some way would have to be found to inform the public, about the meetings and about any decisions to be made. So stay tuned.
For what it's worth, a view of the Harford Township sewer plant at the end of Burns Road
And finally, the Supervisors announced that the Harford Township Municipal Authority that oversees the Township's parks – and notably the ballfield – would be opening bids later this month for a contract to complete Phase One of the ballfield's renovation.
To keep up to date with all of this, consider attending the next Supervisors' meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, beginning at 7:00pm at the Township building on Route 547.
The New Milford Borough Council anticipated the approach of summer with a raft of projects and events at its April meeting on the 17th, including paving, a new roof, opening the pool, a band concert, and more.
Council first opened 5 bids for paving Church Street from Susquehanna Street to Park Place Street, selecting New Enterprise Stone & Lime's low bid of $134,535, something less than expected.
They selected NexGen Construction of New Milford as the low bidder to re-roof the Borough building at a cost of $38,700.
They accepted the bid from Independence Timber of Factoryville to supply mulch for the parks at a price of $20 per yard; they expect to purchase 24 yards for a total cost of $480.
The only outdoor public swimming pool in Susquehanna County, at Blue Ridge Park in New Milford, will open toward the end of May. Council decided to keep rates the same as last year: memberships will cost $50 for individuals and $75 for families; individual visitors will be charged $2. It will cost $175 to rent the pavilion, with some of the price refunded after the event.
Council is still looking for the remote device to control the score board at the park. Karen Gudykunst said that it had been last used in 2018 or 2019. Anyone with information as to its whereabouts is asked to contract the Borough office.
Council received a letter from Richard Zick resigning his position on the Borough's zoning commission hearing board. Anyone interested in serving, please contact the Borough office.
Council President Kerin Welch asked her colleagues to consider a measure by which Council members would only be paid for meetings they attend, with exceptions for emergencies and such. Council has perennial problems achieving a quorum, which would be 4 of the 7 elected members. Former Council member Teri Gulick at one time suggested shrinking the size of Council to 5 members, a process that could be difficult and time consuming.
There are only 6 bridges in all of Madison County, Iowa, with a territory of 561 square miles. New Milford Borough has at least 7 over waterways in its single square mile, depending on how you count. Repairs to the one over Salt Lick Creek on the dead-end Johnston Street appear to be complete, although the 4-ton limit sign will probably remain until the bridge has been re-inspected.
Johnston Street bridge, showing the new beams holding it up
The next due for repairs is on Maple Street, over Smith Creek, also serving dead-end streets, in this case, 2 of them, and also restricted to 4 tons.
Maple Street bridge over Smith Creek, looking toward Main Street
The Johnston Street bridge project only took 3 years. Follow the progress of the Maple Street bridge project at the next meeting of the New Milford Borough Council, scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2025, just another of the events to look forward to this summer in New Milford.